Introduction - The Lions on the Road: Cycling London to Cape Town - page 3

doing a tremendous injustice. I truly believe that God will provide. I never worried about
where I was to sleep at night. In the mornings, I simply just started to cycle. As it grew
late in the day, I looked for a place to sleep. If my 'gut feeling' told me to stop cycling, I
would.TherangeofaccommodationthatIhadwasvast:Isleptinalow-securityprison(as
a guest), a village hut, under a bridge, in a burnt forest, in an unused classroom, in a hotel,
to name a few) but almost always, these places turned out to be safe and welcoming.
Inaddition,Ihadnothing…Idomean nothing …stolenfrommybicyclethroughout
thetour.IneverhadalockforthebikenordidIcarryaknifeorgunforprotection.Looking
back, yes, there were times I was scared and during those times, I felt that I was being
carried (Footprints in the Sand.) In all my daily journal entries, I concluded with a quick
thank-you to God for allowing me to arrive safely.
Also, as unbelievable as it may sound, I NEVER got lost in Africa, even though at
times the road was quite obscure or disappeared altogether in a field of tall grass. I must
havehadthreeguardianangelsworkingdoubleshifts.Ialsohadmanytinymiracleshappen
to me. I met many Simons of Cyrene and Veronicas who appeared out of nowhere when I
wasindesperateneedofhelp.Ihavetriedtoincludealloftheminthestory,buttherewere
far too many.
Finally, I spent many a night with African families and predominantly Catholic
Missions across Africa. Every place I approached was with the desire only to set up my
tent on the property and to leave at dawn. I never expected to be taken in as I was. They
selflessly shared their little food with me and kept me company when I was extremely ill.
I also met many laity who volunteered their talents (in carpentry, medicine, engineering,
teaching, etc. ) in the missions for a couple of years. I strongly urge any reader to consider
this as part of your career- share your talents and gifts.
Being Upfront
Furthermore, when I planned this tour in the UK, I heard of an Englishman who
rode his horse across the country for a charity. Most of the money he raised went to his
lodging and feeding his horse…in essence he got a free ride across the country. That was
not what I wanted to happen with my tour. All money that was donated to me en route for
Save the Children Fund (STC) was sent either to the United Kingdom's STC or the South
African STC (Johannesburg or Cape Town). It was my life savings that bought the bicycle,
equipment, tickets, food and visas.